"It was a massive missed opportunity. Obviously I worked with a great manager in Terry Venables, don't get me wrong, but I just think the players around about my age when I had the chance to sign for them and what they've achieved.

"It's not just on the field, but off the field as well. He doesn't just work with them at the club, he works with them when they're not at the club.

"The guy is just unbelievable really. It's really sad and I had a tear in my eye when I heard. He is just one of those guys who you wanted to win everything and he has done.

"It's so sad that we're not going to see him on the touchline or on the bench."